Sports Deep-Dive

The Greatest Games

The best games each sport has produced, gathered in one place. NFL, NBA and MLB games are ranked by Game Score, a composite of stakes, quality, competitiveness and matchup strength weighted by round and team rating. Hockey joins through every game at which the Stanley Cup was physically awarded.

By sportUnified rankingSoon

How Game Score works

Within each league, every postseason game earns a Game Score that blends how much was at stake (round and seeding), how good the two teams were (rating), and how close and consequential the game itself turned out to be. The result is a single number that lets a first-round upset and a Game 7 classic sit on the same ladder. The catch is that those numbers are calibrated per sport, so a 3.6 in baseball is not the same currency as a 3.6 in basketball. Hockey is a different case again: the data here is the roll of Stanley Cup presentation games rather than a scored ranking. A unified, normalized board that ranks across all four is the next build, not a claim this page makes yet. Methodology.

NFLPlayoffs and Super Bowls, ranked by Game Score.

Full NFL hub
Featured games
Super Bowl XXXII#1
NFL
Broncos 31-24 Packers
Elway finally wins the big one.
Full game - NFL
Super Bowl XLIX#2
NFL
Patriots 28-24 Seahawks
Butler's goal-line interception.
Official highlightsFull game
Super Bowl XLII#8
NFL
Giants 17-14 Patriots
The Helmet Catch ends the perfect season.
Official highlightsFull game

Top games of all-time

Ranked by the site's Game Score (ELO) metric, which combines hype, quality, stakes, and matchup rank. Switch the filter for the top 10 of any decade.Methodology.

#DateRoundMatchGame Score
11998-01-251997 SB XXXII
Qualcomm Stadium· San Diego, CA
2.155
22015-02-012014 SB XLIX
University of Phoenix Stadium· Glendale, AZ
2.139
31979-01-211978 SB XIII
Orange Bowl· Miami, FL
2.114
42018-02-042017 SB LII
U.S. Bank Stadium· Minneapolis, MN
2.085
51999-01-171998 NFC Champ · OT
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome· Minneapolis, MN
2.055
61993-01-171992 NFC Champ
Candlestick Park· San Francisco, CA
2.044
72024-02-112023 SB LVIII · OT
Allegiant Stadium· Paradise, NV
2.016
82008-02-032007 SB XLII
University of Phoenix Stadium· Glendale, AZ
2.006
91970-01-041969 AFL Champ
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum· Oakland, CA
2.001
102017-02-052016 SB LI · OT
NRG Stadium· Houston, TX
1.995
111969-01-121968 SB III
Orange Bowl· Miami, FL
1.962
122012-02-052011 SB XLVI
Lucas Oil Stadium· Indianapolis, IN
1.937
131976-01-181975 SB X
Orange Bowl· Miami, FL
1.923
141962-12-301962 NFL Champ
Yankee Stadium· New York, NY
1.903
152007-01-142006 Div. Playoff
Qualcomm Stadium· San Diego, CA
1.899
162000-01-301999 SB XXXIV
Georgia Dome· Atlanta, GA
1.895
172013-02-032012 SB XLVII
Mercedes-Benz Superdome· New Orleans, LA
1.892
181991-01-201990 NFC Champ
Candlestick Park· San Francisco, CA
1.887
192019-01-202018 AFC Champ · OT
Arrowhead Stadium· Kansas City, MO
1.880
201974-12-291974 AFC Champ
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum· Oakland, CA
1.873
211958-12-281958 NFL Champ · OT
Yankee Stadium· New York, NY
1.872
222005-01-232004 AFC Champ
Heinz Field· Pittsburgh, PA
1.870
232014-01-192013 NFC Champ
CenturyLink Field· Seattle, WA
1.864
242011-02-062010 SB XLV
Cowboys Stadium· Arlington, TX
1.863
252024-01-282023 AFC Champ
M&T Bank Stadium· Baltimore, MD
1.862
262023-01-292022 AFC Champ
Arrowhead Stadium· Kansas City, MO
1.862
272021-01-242020 NFC Champ
Lambeau Field· Green Bay, WI
1.851
281992-01-261991 SB XXVI
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome· Minneapolis, MN
1.848
292019-01-202018 NFC Champ · OT
Mercedes-Benz Superdome· New Orleans, LA
1.844
302008-01-132007 Div. Playoff
RCA Dome· Indianapolis, IN
1.841
311987-01-031986 Div. Playoff
Soldier Field· Chicago, IL
1.839
321973-01-141972 SB VII
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum· Los Angeles, CA
1.839
332002-02-032001 SB XXXVI
Louisiana Superdome· New Orleans, LA
1.836
341983-01-301982 SB XVII
Rose Bowl· Pasadena, CA
1.835
351995-01-151994 NFC Champ
Candlestick Park· San Francisco, CA
1.834
362006-01-152005 Div. Playoff
RCA Dome· Indianapolis, IN
1.829
372016-02-072015 SB 50
Levi's Stadium· Santa Clara, CA
1.817
382023-01-222022 Div. Playoff
Highmark Stadium· Orchard Park, NY
1.812
392023-02-122022 SB LVII
State Farm Stadium· Glendale, AZ
1.812
401991-01-271990 SB XXV
Tampa Stadium· Tampa, FL
1.812
412011-01-162010 Div. Playoff
Gillette Stadium· Foxboro, MA
1.812
421970-01-111969 SB IV
Tulane Stadium· New Orleans, LA
1.809
431996-01-061995 Div. Playoff
3Com Park· San Francisco, CA
1.806
442020-02-022019 SB LIV
Hard Rock Stadium· Miami Gardens, FL
1.805
452019-02-032018 SB LIII
Mercedes-Benz Stadium· Atlanta, GA
1.803
461978-01-011977 AFC Champ
Mile High Stadium· Denver, CO
1.802
471982-01-241981 SB XVI
Pontiac Silverdome· Pontiac, MI
1.801
482006-01-222005 AFC Champ
Invesco Field· Denver, CO
1.799
492007-01-212006 AFC Champ
RCA Dome· Indianapolis, IN
1.798
502025-01-262024 AFC Champ
Arrowhead Stadium· Kansas City, MO
1.794

NBAPostseason classics, ranked by Game Score with overtime flagged.

Full NBA hub
Featured games
2016 NBA Finals, Game 7#2
NBA
Cavaliers 93-89 Warriors
The Block and The Shot; Cleveland's first title.
Official highlightsFull game
1998 NBA Finals, Game 6#3
NBA
Bulls 87-86 Jazz
Jordan's last shot as a Bull.
Official highlights
1985 NBA Finals, Game 6#10
NBA
Lakers 111-100 Celtics
The Lakers clinch the title on the Boston Garden parquet.
Fan uploadFull game

Top games of all-time

Ranked by Game Score — a composite of game stakes, quality, and matchup strength weighted by round and ELO. Switch the filter for the top 10 of any decade. Methodology.

#DateRoundMatchGame Score
12026-05-302026 · Conf. Finals G71.981
22016-06-192016 · Finals G71.956
31998-06-141998 · Finals G6
1.928
42016-05-282016 · Conf. Finals G61.908
52016-06-132016 · Finals G51.900
61998-06-121998 · Finals G51.899
72002-06-022002 · Conf. Finals G7 · OT1.885
81972-04-221972 · Conf. Finals G6
1.882
92011-06-122011 · Finals G61.876
101985-06-091985 · Finals G61.866
112003-05-272003 · Conf. Finals G51.837
121993-06-181993 · Finals G51.830
131967-04-231967 · Finals G51.830
141996-06-141996 · Finals G51.824
152013-06-182013 · Finals G6 · OT1.823
161997-06-131997 · Finals G61.818
172022-05-272022 · Conf. Finals G61.812
182006-06-202006 · Finals G61.812
192006-05-222006 · Semifinals G7 · OT1.800
201997-06-111997 · Finals G51.797
212015-06-162015 · Finals G61.797
221993-06-201993 · Finals G61.796
231982-05-231982 · Conf. Finals G71.794
242014-05-312014 · Conf. Finals G6 · OT1.789
252026-05-182026 · Conf. Finals G1 · 2OT1.782
262022-06-162022 · Finals G61.774
271992-06-051992 · Finals G2 · OT1.773
282021-07-172021 · Finals G51.772
291974-05-101974 · Finals G6 · 2OT1.771
301996-05-281996 · Conf. Finals G5 · OT1.766
312018-05-282018 · Conf. Finals G71.765
322015-06-072015 · Finals G2 · OT1.761
332005-05-202005 · Semifinals G6 · OT1.755
342003-05-292003 · Conf. Finals G61.751
352016-06-162016 · Finals G61.748
361985-06-051985 · Finals G41.743
371981-05-011981 · Conf. Finals G61.741
381974-05-121974 · Finals G71.740
392000-05-302000 · Conf. Finals G51.740
401992-06-141992 · Finals G61.740
412005-06-212005 · Finals G61.733
421991-06-121991 · Finals G51.732
432016-05-162016 · Conf. Finals G11.732
441989-06-131989 · Finals G41.729
452019-06-132019 · Finals G61.729
462005-05-302005 · Conf. Finals G41.722
472019-06-102019 · Finals G51.719
481996-06-161996 · Finals G61.715
491963-04-211963 · Finals G51.715
502009-06-142009 · Finals G51.714

MLBWorld Series and postseason games, ranked by Game Score.

Full MLB hub
Featured games
2016 World Series, Game 7#1
MLB
Cubs 8-7 Indians
108 years end in extra innings.
Full game - MLB
1986 World Series, Game 6#3
MLB
Mets 6-5 Red Sox
Mookie's grounder through Buckner; the Mets survive.
Official highlightsFull game
1991 World Series, Game 7#8
MLB
Twins 1-0 Braves
Jack Morris: 10 innings, no runs.
Official highlightsFull game

Top postseason games of all-time

Ranked by the site's Game Score metric, which combines hype, quality, stakes, and matchup rank for every postseason game from 1882 onwards. Switch the filter for the top 10 of any decade.Methodology.

#DateRoundMatchGame Score
12016-11-022016 World Series G7 · Extras
Progressive Field· Cleveland, Ohio
3.572
21960-10-131960 World Series G7
Forbes Field· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2.816
31986-10-251986 World Series G6 · Extras
Shea Stadium· New York, New York
2.802
41975-10-221975 World Series G7
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
2.649
51972-10-221972 World Series G7
Riverfront Stadium· Cincinnati, Ohio
2.626
61995-10-281995 World Series G6
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium· Atlanta, Georgia
2.584
72020-10-272020 World Series G6
Globe Life Field· Dallas, Texas
2.491
81991-10-271991 World Series G7 · Extras
Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome· Minneapolis, Minnesota
2.490
91948-10-111948 World Series G6
Braves Field· Boston, Massachusetts
2.404
101986-10-271986 World Series G7
Shea Stadium· New York, New York
2.356
111924-10-101924 World Series G7 · Extras
Griffith Stadium I· Washington, DC
2.355
122004-10-272004 World Series G4
Busch Stadium II· St. Louis, Missouri
2.277
132025-11-012025 World Series G7 · Extras
Rogers Centre· Toronto, Ontario
2.272
142003-10-162003 ALCS G7 · Extras
Yankee Stadium II· New York, New York
2.259
151903-10-131903 World Series G8
Huntington Avenue Grounds· Boston, Massachusetts
2.220
161957-10-101957 World Series G7
Yankee Stadium I· New York, New York
2.217
171975-10-211975 World Series G6 · Extras
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
2.212
181991-10-261991 World Series G6 · Extras
Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome· Minneapolis, Minnesota
2.178
191992-10-241992 World Series G6 · Extras
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium· Atlanta, Georgia
2.175
202005-10-262005 World Series G4
Minute Maid Park· Houston, Texas
2.164
212001-11-042001 World Series G7
Bank One Ballpark· Phoenix, Arizona
2.163
221912-10-161912 World Series G8 · Extras
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
2.129
231945-10-081945 World Series G6 · Extras
Wrigley Field· Chicago, Illinois
2.114
241987-10-251987 World Series G7
Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome· Minneapolis, Minnesota
2.112
251986-10-121986 ALCS G5 · Extras
Anaheim Stadium· Los Angeles, California
2.110
261986-10-231986 World Series G5
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
2.084
272011-10-272011 World Series G6 · Extras
Busch Stadium III· St. Louis, Missouri
2.081
281946-10-151946 World Series G7
Sportsman's Park III· St. Louis, Missouri
2.074
291968-10-101968 World Series G7
Busch Stadium II· St. Louis, Missouri
2.065
302010-11-012010 World Series G5
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington· Dallas, Texas
2.054
311921-10-131921 World Series G8
Polo Grounds IV· New York, New York
2.030
321965-10-141965 World Series G7
Metropolitan Stadium· Minneapolis, Minnesota
1.999
332017-10-292017 World Series G5 · Extras
Minute Maid Park· Houston, Texas
1.991
341992-10-141992 NLCS G7
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium· Atlanta, Georgia
1.989
351984-10-071984 NLCS G5
Jack Murphy Stadium· San Diego, California
1.978
361944-10-091944 World Series G6
Sportsman's Park III· St. Louis, Missouri
1.977
371969-10-161969 World Series G5
Shea Stadium· New York, New York
1.971
381924-10-091924 World Series G6
Griffith Stadium I· Washington, DC
1.970
392002-10-262002 World Series G6
Edison International Field· Los Angeles, California
1.966
401921-10-121921 World Series G7
Polo Grounds IV· New York, New York
1.958
411967-10-111967 World Series G6
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
1.956
421919-10-071919 World Series G6 · Extras
Crosley Field· Cincinnati, Ohio
1.949
431997-10-261997 World Series G7 · Extras
Pro Player Stadium· Miami, Florida
1.928
441920-10-111920 World Series G6
League Park· Cleveland, Ohio
1.916
451926-10-101926 World Series G7
Yankee Stadium I· New York, New York
1.914
462004-10-182004 ALCS G5 · Extras
Fenway Park· Boston, Massachusetts
1.898
472017-10-312017 World Series G6
Dodger Stadium· Los Angeles, California
1.897
481965-10-131965 World Series G6
Metropolitan Stadium· Minneapolis, Minnesota
1.895
492003-10-152003 ALCS G6
Yankee Stadium II· New York, New York
1.894
501921-10-111921 World Series G6
Polo Grounds IV· New York, New York
1.887

NHLEvery game at which the Stanley Cup was awarded, 1893 to today.

Full NHL hub
Featured games
30 years of Cup celebrations
NHL
1994-2024
Every Stanley Cup presentation across three decades.
Official - NHL

Stanley Cup presentation games

Every game and challenge at which the Stanley Cup was awarded, from the first challenge in 1893 to today. Filter by decade, or show the full list.

#DateSeasonChampion & result
1Jun 17, 20252025 · SC Final · Game 6
Amerant Bank Arena · Miami, FL
2Jun 24, 20242024 · SC Final · Game 7
Amerant Bank Arena · Miami, FL
3Jun 13, 20232023 · SC Final · Game 5
T-Mobile Arena · Las Vegas, NV
4Jun 26, 20222022 · SC Final · Game 6
Amalie Arena · Tampa, FL
5Jul 7, 20212021 · SC Final · Game 5
Amalie Arena · Tampa, FL
6Sep 28, 20202020 · SC Final · Game 6
Rogers Place · Edmonton, AB

College Football

The greatest games in college football history, ranked by Game Score, with the bowl, stage and rivalry of each. Filter to a decade.

Full College Football hub →
Featured games
2006 Rose Bowl#1
CFB
Texas 41-38 USC
Vince Young runs in the title on fourth down.
Game video
2003 Fiesta Bowl#2
CFB
Ohio State 31-24 (2OT) Miami (FL)
A double-overtime upset ends the Hurricanes' reign.
Game video
1987 Fiesta Bowl#6
CFB
Penn State 14-10 Miami (FL)
A goal-line stand seals the national championship.
Game video
#SeasonMatchGame Score
12005
#2 Texas 41-38 #1 USC
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
National TitleMajor Bowl
2.00
22002
#2 Ohio State 31-24 #1 Miami (FL) (2OT)
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.92
31987
#2 Miami (FL) 20-14 #1 Oklahoma
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.83
42010
#1 Auburn 22-19 #2 Oregon
University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.83
51992
#2 Alabama 34-13 #1 Miami (FL)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.81
61986
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.79
72015
#2 Alabama 45-40 #1 Clemson
University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitlePlayoff
1.77
82013
#1 Florida State 34-31 #2 Auburn
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.76
91978
#2 Alabama 14-7 #1 Penn State
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.74
102009
#1 Alabama 37-21 #2 Texas
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.72
111998
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.71
122023
#1 Michigan 34-13 #2 Washington
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
National TitlePlayoff
1.71
131968
#1 Ohio State 27-16 #2 USC
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.70
141982
#2 Penn State 27-23 #1 Georgia
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.70
151993
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.70
161955
#1 Oklahoma 20-6 #3 Maryland
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.68
171971
#1 Nebraska 38-6 #2 Alabama
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.67
181999
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.67
191962
#1 USC 42-37 #2 Wisconsin
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.66
201973
#3 Notre Dame 24-23 #1 Alabama
Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.65
212019
#1 LSU 42-25 #3 Clemson
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitlePlayoff
1.64
221995
#1 Nebraska 62-24 #2 Florida
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.62
231969
#1 Texas 15-14 #2 Arkansas
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Conf Game
1.62
242018
#2 Clemson 44-16 #1 Alabama
Levi's Stadium, San Francisco, California
National TitlePlayoff
1.60
252004
#1 USC 55-19 #2 Oklahoma
Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.60
261971
#1 Nebraska 35-31 #2 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Conf Game
1.60
272008
#1 Florida 24-14 #2 Oklahoma
Dolphins Stadium, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.59
282016
#3 Clemson 35-31 #1 Alabama
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
National TitlePlayoff
1.59
291945
#1 Army 32-13 #2 Navy
Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
National Title
1.56
302025
#2 Indiana 13-10 #1 Ohio State
in Indianapolis, IN
Conf Title
1.54
312020
#1 Alabama 52-24 #2 Ohio State
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
National TitlePlayoff
1.54
322011
#2 Alabama 21-0 #1 LSU
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.54
331991
Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
1.53
341988
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.53
352006
#2 Florida 41-14 #1 Ohio State
University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.53
361994
#1 Nebraska 24-17 #3 Miami (FL)
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.53
371946
#1 Army 0-0 #2 Notre Dame
Yankee Stadium, New York, New York
1.52
382006
#1 Ohio State 42-39 #2 Michigan
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Conf Game
1.51
391963
#1 Texas 28-6 #2 Navy
Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.51
401996
Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
1.50
411983
#5 Miami (FL) 31-30 #1 Nebraska
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.50
421993
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
1.48
431966
East Lansing Spartan Stadium, Lansing, Michigan
1.48
442000
Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.48
451979
#3 USC 17-16 #1 Ohio State
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California
Major Bowl
1.46
461987
#2 Oklahoma 17-7 #1 Nebraska
Lincoln Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Conf Game
1.46
472012
#2 Alabama 42-14 #1 Notre Dame
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.45
481943
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
1.45
492019
#3 Clemson 29-23 #2 Ohio State
University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
Playoff
1.44
501985
#3 Oklahoma 25-10 #1 Penn State
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
National TitleMajor Bowl
1.43

What's next

This is the v0. The board is meant to grow along two axes:

Game Score and game data are maintained per league in the MetroAreas workbook and emitted to each sport's data files at build time. Hockey shows Stanley Cup presentation games rather than a scored ranking.